Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day 26: The first Par 3 contest
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Welcome to Day 26 of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.
In 1960, a tradition was started which still continues today, whereby a Par-3 contest takes place on the Wednesday before the Tournament proper. This beautiful short course was built in 1958 by George Cobb and Clifford Roberts; and is the perfect appetiser to the main meal.
This first ever contest in 1960 was a huge success; and the massive galleries loved this opportunity to see the stars of the game (past and present) enjoying themselves. It was won, appropriately enough, by one of the old Masters – Sam Snead, who shot a 4-under 23 round the par-27 course. (Snead had won a Green Jacket in 1949, 1952 and 1954.)
Tournament participants, non-competing past champions and Honorary Invitees are all invited to play over the 1,060 yard course which is set over DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike’s Pond. Huge galleries always attend (it is the last day that the general public can get in) and much betting takes place on who – from each group – will finish nearest the pin.
Often players will get their kids to caddie for them; and it has become another tradition that the caddie will often be allowed a shot on the 9th and final hole.
One of the oddest facts about Masters history is that no one has won this contest and then gone on to win the Tournament proper, in the same year; and now the more superstitious members of the field make sure that if they are winning the contest when they stand on the 9th tee, they are not winning it when they walk off the 9th green!
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